Civitavecchia, Italy (AP) – Along Italy’s Mediterranean coast on Thursday, driver Fabio Barone ran across the flight deck of a naval ship, chasing the fastest cars on a boat, chasing world records.
Last year, Barone recorded the Italian Federation of Timekeepers’ Federation of Records to another aircraft carrier in southern Italy, reaching 152 km/h (94.4 mph). At Civitavecchia, on the coast near Rome, he aims to brake after reaching 160 kph, before firing the so-called “ski jump” on the deck, hitting a cruise ship just stationed in.
Race engineer Alessandro Tedino told The Associated Press that he is not sure the records are achievable. The ship was out to sea overnight, and the crew appeared early in the morning and found the flight deck wet. They quickly dried it and finished work by the end of summer sunbeam.
“If it remains wet, of course it is impossible to apply maximum speed and maximum brakes. That’s very dangerous,” he said.
As the theme song for “Top Gun” rang out from the speakers, the Portside elevator of the carrier lifted Barone’s team onto the deck where journalists, naval officers and VIPs were waiting. A group of children with Down syndrome were chosen to serve as the “mechanic of the day” of honor, removing the red satiny cover to reveal the red and black horse, and the red and black Ferrari SF90.
Barone surrendered himself to the supercar and then drove back and forth several times along the length of the deck to warm the V-8 turbo engine. It made him more vocal on each pass as he pushed 1,085 horses harder. He then placed himself on the far end of the 236m (774ft) flight deck, making it completely clear.
“Here he’s going! Here he’s going!” An announcer called Barone left his mark and passed the crowd. Just a few seconds later he came to a safe stop and the crowd stopped. The official timekeeper approached the car and inspected the gauge inside.
“Speed detected: 164 km/h (101 mph). I declare this is the ship’s new speed record!” he said, urging heartfelt applause from the bystanders.
Barone lifted her arms into the air, hugging the crew and still holding the helmet in place. The reporters flocked.
“The main thing you focus on is concentration, and then you only realize that you are breaking the record when you are on the way,” Barone said. “I have both hands, my legs and I use them at the same time, like a pianist.”
Tedino said Barone’s team will be submitting certification results to Guinness World Records. This told the Associated Press via email Thursday afternoon, “We look forward to receiving the application, reviewing it and supporting evidence of his latest attempts.”
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AP VideoJournalist Paolo Santalucia contributed.
